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Daily Wisdom for Men 2027 Devotional Collection

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INTRODUCTION If you want to know God more this year, the best way to do that is to dig into His Word—and Daily Wisdom for Men 2027 Devotional Collection will help you do just that. But that’s just the beginning! Seeking God in the Bible can help you strengthen your prayer life, deepen your faith in Jesus, and better understand God’s plan and unending love for you. The devotional book you hold in your hands is a great resource to help you experience the power and life-giving wisdom of God’s Word every day! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

2 Timothy 3:15–17 msg For the next 365 days, you will journey from “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1) to “Amen” (Revelation 22:21). You’ll see how God worked throughout history and is still working today, and you’ll learn the priceless wisdom of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and all of this will help you to know Him more!

The Editors


JANUARY 2027 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1

SATURDAY

27

28

29

30

31

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

26

27

28

29

30

New Year’s Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

24

25

31


FRIDAY, JANUARY 1

New Year’s Day

*Genesis 1–2 / Matthew 1 / Psalm 1

THE STORY OF OUR LIVES In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 niv

Earth’s population—the number of living, breathing human beings like yourself, complete with an infinitely complex mixture of hopes, fears, desires, and regrets—is estimated to be a little over eight billion. Think about that: eight billion souls. . .eight billion unique lives. . .eight billion stories, all interwoven into the tapestry of history. Even with this staggering truth in mind, it might be easy to see ourselves as the main character—the hero—of our own story. We think ourselves the masters of our own fate, as if our ability to live out our story somehow means we were the ones who wrote it. But the very first verse of scripture lays aside all such notions. The protagonist of your story isn’t yourself. God is. The divine author of history and of all its intertwining chapters is also the protagonist of this cosmic drama. He created the screenplay. . .then wrote Himself in as the leading role (see John 1:1–10)—the one who anchors all the plots and gives them meaning. This is important to understand, not so that we’ll devalue ourselves, but so that we’ll find the one from whom our value derives. Understanding the Bible, and thereby seeking God’s face, is impossible without first understanding this central truth. Father God, I never forget that my story—and the story of history itself—has always been all about You. * This devotional follows a yearlong Bible-reading plan that corresponds with each day. If you choose to complete these readings, at the end of the year you will have read God’s Word from cover to cover!


SATURDAY, JANUARY 2 Genesis 3–4 / Matthew 2 / Psalm 2

SELF-SABOTAGE The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” Psalm 2:2–3 nlt

Today’s scripture describes a scene that’s as sad as it is futile. Men in positions of authority begin believing that earth’s fickle, violence-driven hierarchy of power can somehow rival the power of heaven. Having oppressed their helpless citizens, cruelly squashing any revolt that may arise, they assume that God Himself operates under the same system of rules, locked in an eternal struggle to maintain hold on His authority. How wrong they are. God is not in the business of slavery, nor is He a divine conquistador, imposing His will on those who do not wish to submit. He is an all-powerful King, yes. But He has also given each of His citizens free will to obey Him or disobey Him. And He has created this world in such a way that disobedience becomes an act of self-sabotage—a life-destroying catastrophe that forces those who are wise to flee back to the only one who can give their lives purpose. In other words, rather than being a slave master, God has freed His children from actual slavery—slavery to our own uncontrollable natures. The only true freedom is submission to our heavenly King. I am free, God, whenever I submit to You. You alone enable me to reach my fullest potential.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 Genesis 5–7 / Matthew 3 / Psalm 3

A GRIEVING GOD But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8 esv

Imagine a dystopian future—a world in which the thoughts and intentions of every human on earth are only evil continually. Violence rules the earth. Injustice has become mankind’s universal language. There is no one good. No one. . .except for one man and his family. This dark scenario isn’t fiction; rather, it’s exactly the way Noah’s world is described. Noah lived in a time of abject lawlessness. And yet somehow, this one man was able to walk stably with his God, rejecting his culture’s spiral into sin in favor of a higher calling. And God noticed. Faced with such a rebellious creation, God could have used His widest brush to paint judgment upon the face of the earth. But instead, He chose to operate on a personal level—punishing the evil and unrepentant while sparing the innocent and faithful. Why? Because that’s who our God is—personal. He’s not a force of nature or a distant, tyrannical king. When we rebel against Him, He grieves. And when we repent, He rejoices, wiping our transgressions from His memory and welcoming us back as spotless children. So don’t give in to the sinful consensus of this fallen world. Keep living faithfully, and you too will find favor with your God. Lord, thank You for showing favor on those who still seek You, even in a world that, collectively, does not.


MONDAY, JANUARY 4 Genesis 8–10 / Matthew 4 / Psalm 4

THE SIGN OF THE BOW And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds.” Genesis 9:12–13 niv

Christians know that the rainbow is a sign of renewal and hope after tragedy—a reminder of God’s covenant to allow the beauty of His creation to persist in the face of human sinfulness until the day of Christ’s return. But it’s also been noted that a deeper meaning lies behind this sign—a foreshadowing of God’s redemptive plan. The rainbow gets its name from its shape. Hanging in the sky, it takes the form of a warrior’s bow—a weapon aimed at the heavens above. And in a sense, isn’t this exactly what God was promising? No more floods would wipe out humanity, because God had a plan to take upon Himself the punishment that belonged to us. At Calvary, this divine bow was discharged, mortally wounding God Himself and absolving us of guilt. So the next time you see a rainbow, don’t stop at merely admiring its beauty. Rather, think of the fact that the wrath that should be pointed at us has instead been turned to heaven. . .so that we might live there forever with our Savior. Lord Jesus, thank you for emblazing the sign of your self-sacrificial love in the clouds for all to see.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 5 Genesis 11–13 / Matthew 5:1–20 / Psalm 5

ARE YOU THIRSTY? “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 esv

Nature can be pretty cruel sometimes. Need proof ? Just look at the phenomenon of mirages in the desert. These optical illusions can make it appear as if a shimmering lake is resting on the horizon. And yet. . .no such water exists! It’s just light reflected off the scorching sand from far away. Even worse, the chances are high that if you’re seeing that mirage in the middle of the desert, you’re probably pretty thirsty—maybe even to the point of dehydration. Many people go through life believing Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:6 to be little more than a similar mirage. They recognize that this world is seriously messed up—cracked and dried up and in desperate need of spiritual nourishment. But having been embittered by this life’s cruel disappointments, they snub their noses at the invitation, refusing to fall for yet another trick of the light. But here’s the good news: This time, it’s not a mirage. When we place our faith in Christ, we are chasing not just a lake but an endless ocean of spiritual renewal. And when we travelers finally reach that long-sought-after horizon, we’ll find ourselves in an eternal oasis of peace. . .where there will be no more desert. Lord, help me to overcome my cynicism and believe that Your promises are more than a mirage.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6 Genesis 14–16 / Matthew 5:21–48 / Psalm 6

A REMEDY FOR LEGALISM “I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 esv

Verses like Matthew 5:28 can be terrifying for a legalist. Here’s an explanation: Legalism sees life as a series of dos and don’ts—a cosmic checklist that you’d better follow to the tee, or else. As such, a true-blooded legalist will see these passages and think, So wait. . .not only can my actions condemn me, but my thoughts can too? Gulp. But this wasn’t Jesus’ point. Rather, He was telling His audience that it is our heart that matters the most to God, and our actions are just a mere reflection of our hearts. If we find ourselves gleefully fantasizing about sinning but stopping short of the act itself, then chances are, something is wrong with how we see our relationship with God. We’ve somehow moved from wanting to obey God with all our hearts to “Sure, God, I’ll obey (groan). But not before I stretch the limits as much as I can.” God has no patience for such legal loopholes in our Christian lives. Will we mess up from time to time? Of course. But thank God, Jesus’ grace is there to cover us when we do. And as long as we’re chasing after God’s righteousness, verses like Matthew 5:28 will become more and more freeing to our souls. Lord Jesus, keep working on me, from the inside out.


THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 Genesis 17–18 / Matthew 6:1–18 / Psalm 7

HEAVEN’S HUMOR Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” Genesis 17:17 niv

“The secret to humor is surprise.” So said Aristotle, thousands of years ago. Instinctively, we know this to be true—the funniest punch lines are always the ones we don’t see coming. And if Aristotle’s observation is correct, then God must have the strongest sense of humor in the universe. After all, God tends to operate in history using the most unorthodox methods, almost as if to prove to us humans that our supposedly “enlightened” minds are, in reality, anything but. Abraham, one of the greatest men of faith in the Bible—the one whom scripture refers to as a “friend of God” ( James 2:23)—certainly saw the humor in God’s plan. Faced with the preposterous notion of having a child at age one hundred, Abraham produced the kind of laughter you’d expect from someone who has just found out a distant, unknown relative has passed and left them with a million dollars. Abraham had just hit history’s jackpot in the most absurd, unlikely way, and there was nothing he could do but laugh in stunned, joyful surprise. And although scripture doesn’t say it, it’s easy to imagine that God was smiling too. Lord, may I never lose sight of just how joyfully surprising Your plan of salvation is.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 Genesis 19–20 / Matthew 6:19–34 / Psalm 8

FOR HIS GLORY Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Psalm 8:1 niv

GW231123. That’s the oh-so-eloquent name that a group of astronomers chose to describe a massive, universe-shaking event that their equipment recently detected: two black holes, each a hundred times more massive than our sun, colliding billions of light-years from Earth. This long-ago collision was so powerful that it rocked the foundations of reality itself, sending out ripples in the fabric of space-time—ripples that these scientists’ instruments were just now able to detect. Have you ever wondered why such brain-bending cosmic phenomena even exist? If we humans are limited to this measly-by-comparison planet Earth, why would God choose to create such a vast, vast cosmos? We’ll probably never know the answers to this question on this side of eternity. But maybe, just maybe, God created these things for the sole purpose of us one day discovering them. Today’s verse says that God’s glory has been set in the heavens. In a very literal sense, that’s exactly what the believer sees when he looks up at the night sky and beholds all its mind-boggling celestial hosts. Because the bigger our universe grows within the lenses of our telescopes, the more profound our understanding of God, the Creator, grows as well. All things have been made for His glory. Lord, may I never tire of learning more about You through Your breathtaking creation.


SATURDAY, JANUARY 9 Genesis 21–23 / Matthew 7:1–11 / Psalm 9:1–8

PERFECT JUSTICE The Lord. . .will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. Psalm 9:7–8 nlt

Do you enjoy watching police procedurals, courtroom dramas, and reality TV shows that spotlight criminals being brought to justice? Often, watching these fictionalized or embellished portrayals of crime and punishment can be cathartic, because it satisfies that longing in our hearts for justice—true justice—to prevail over wickedness. We do the same thing in our arguments. Even when we know we’re being petty or unreasonable, we often try our best to convince the other party that we have the moral high ground and therefore deserve to be heard and respected. We realize that moral truth is the highest form of truth, because it is rooted in none other than God, the embodiment of truth and justice. As long as we live in this world, however, we’ll always be hard-pressed to find examples of justice prevailing the way we know it should. Life on this fallen planet is just too complex and messy to conform to the utopia that we crave. But today’s verses say that one day, this utopia will become reality. No more unjust judges. No more unpunished crime. God, the perfect judge, will rule without contest upon the earth, and all those who possess His righteousness will live in a world free of wickedness forever. Lord, I’m looking forward to Your future kingdom and Your righteous, eternal reign.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 Genesis 24 / Matthew 7:12–29 / Psalm 9:9–20

TOPPLING TOWERS “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:26–27 esv

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is famous for the wrong reason. Sure, its beauty is undeniable, and its centuries-spanning history features many fascinating twists. But ancient, beautiful European buildings are practically a dime a dozen. The real reason this tower is famous is found in its name: It is leaning. No, it wasn’t built like this. And yes, it’s a miracle that it hasn’t fallen already. It was built on ground that was much too soft to support its weight, and gravity did the rest of the work in making this tower iconic. Unfortunately, the person who tries to build his life on spiritually “soft” material will soon find his life in a far worse condition than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In fact, Jesus said that when the storms of life arrive, such an unsupported life will stand zero chance. It will crash down into splinters, all at once. If you want your life to be a strong and sturdy tower, don’t build it on the sand of opinions and cultural norms. Build it on the rock-solid, eternal foundation of Jesus Christ. God, give me the wisdom to make You my foundation.


MONDAY, JANUARY 11 Genesis 25–26 / Matthew 8:1–17 / Psalm 10:1–11

JUST ONE TOUCH Behold, a leper came to [ Jesus] and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:2–3 esv

You remember COVID-19, right? Weeks of lockdowns, months of mandatory mask wearing, and years of societal recovery. If you were unlucky enough to contract the virus in those early days, you no doubt related (albeit briefly) to the plight of the leper mentioned in Matthew 8. Lepers in Jesus’ day were in a perpetual state of quarantine. . .and for good reason. Under Old Testament Law, a lonely life of gradual deterioration was the best such a soul could hope for. But then came Jesus—a man whose touch could kill the disease, not the other way around. Little did this leper know at the time, Jesus’ power extended far beyond curing leprosy. When Jesus died on the cross, He bore a far more diabolical disease—the sin of the whole world—and carried it with Him to the grave. But because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, and because He defeated death by rising again, all who make contact with Him now are cleansed from their sin forever. Sin itself withers on contact with the holy Son of God! Thank You, Lord, for killing sin’s power in my life.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 Genesis 27:1–28:9 / Matthew 8:18–34 / Psalm 10:12–18

THE WINDS OBEY [ Jesus] got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” Matthew 8:26–27 nlt

In this world, there are very few things more frightening than a strong thunderstorm. It fills the sky itself, shaking our world with raw power and fury, uprooting mighty trees and turning small streams into violent rivers of brown and frothing white. Even in our controlled, technologically advanced society, thunderstorms can still be just as intimidating and fearsome as they were two thousand years ago. But whenever Jesus found Himself in a small boat in the middle of the open water in a massive, roiling storm, He wasn’t concerned in the slightest. Because after all, as the Creator of the universe itself—including the storms that bubble up on this tiny planet called Earth—Jesus had the power to stop the most powerful hurricane with a single word. . .which is exactly what He did. The thing that makes storms—both real and metaphorical—so terrifying to us is their sheer unpredictability. We naturally fear what we cannot control. So aren’t you glad that you serve a God with absolute power over these fierce storms? Nothing—neither lightning nor tornadoes nor damaged homes nor crushed dreams nor broken marriages nor shattered careers—is too big of a storm for God to calm. Thank You, Jesus, for calming my worst storms.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13 Genesis 28:10–29:35 / Matthew 9 / Psalm 11

NO HIDDEN THOUGHT Some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?” Matthew 9:3–4 niv

Cold reading is a technique by which self-proclaimed psychics (or simply entertainers) can appear to accurately read a person’s mind. It can be an impressive thing to behold, until you learn some of the boring, decidedly non-supernatural methods that are employed. Jesus’ power, however, was real. And if you’re living for Him, this ability to read minds is perhaps His most amazing attribute. After all, the idea of an all-powerful God who’s intimately acquainted and concerned with your deepest unspoken desire—who knows you better than you know yourself—is deeply comforting, especially if you feel misunderstood by everyone else. But for the people who aren’t following Jesus (like those present in today’s passage), this power is absolutely terrifying. The same idea of an all-powerful God who’s intimately acquainted and concerned with their deepest unspoken desire—who knows them better than they know themselves—reads a lot different for someone who’s trying to hide from Him! In short, God needs no permission to know our thoughts. He simply knows them, whether we like it or not. The only question is this: When God looks into your heart, is He pleased by what He sees? God, may my heart remain pure. I never want to get to the point where I try hiding my motives from You.


THURSDAY, JANUARY 14 Genesis 30:1–31:21 / Matthew 10:1–15 / Psalm 12

FALLOUT BUNKER You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race. Psalm 12:7–8 niv

Unless you’ve been living underground in a soundproof nuclear bunker with nothing but a Bible to keep you company, you’ve probably noticed examples of “what is vile” being “honored by the human race” in today’s culture. It’s, quite literally, everywhere. Flagrant immorality—stuff that, a few decades ago, would make the most godless hedonist blush—can be found with two clicks of the remote or a trip to your local supermarket. It’s discouraging to the point that sometimes, that nuclear bunker doesn’t sound so bad after all. But Psalm 12:7–8 says that we as believers don’t have to live in fear. Despite how bleak the world around us may appear, nothing about it has ever caught God by surprise. He knew that we would live at this point in time, and He has made plans to shield our hearts from corruption. As long as we stay within His will, reading His Word and communing with Him daily while trying our best to flee temptation, He is able to make our spiritual resolve unbreakable. God is truly our strongest, most reliable refuge—our only unbreakable bunker. Lord, keep my heart clean in a world of filth. May my light cut through the darkness, and not the other way around.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 Genesis 31:22–32:21 / Matthew 10:16–36 / Psalm 13

PREEMPTIVE PRAISE But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. Psalm 13:5–6 nlt

This passage sounds as if it was written after a glorious victory—an edge-of-your-seat rescue snatched from the jaws of certain death. But take a look at the previous two verses. They read: “Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, ‘We have defeated him!’ Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall” (verses 3–4). Suddenly, it becomes clear that this psalm was composed from a vantage point of fear and extreme danger. And yet, notice how David speaks of God’s salvation in the final two verses in the past tense, as if it already happened! What’s up with the chronology of this psalm? The answer lies in David’s understanding of God. He knew that the Lord was able to defend him from these unbeatable enemies, so for him, his rescue was already as good as done. So he engaged in a bit of preemptive praise, which served the dual purpose of giving God the thanks He deserves as well as reassuring David’s trembling soul. And if you’re trusting in Jesus, you too can offer thanks to God for the eternal rescue that He has already guaranteed for your future. Thank You, Lord, for the salvation that’s coming. Keep my trust in You unshakable.


SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 Genesis 32:22–34:31 / Matthew 10:37–11:6 / Psalm 14

THE “UNREASONABLE” PATIENCE OF CHRIST Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” Matthew 11:2–4 esv

We often focus on the humanness of John in this passage, emphasizing the fact that nobody, not even the greatest prophets in history (aside from Jesus), has been perfect. It’s certainly a reassuring thought, knowing that if the great John the Baptist had his doubts, it surely isn’t strange that we should too. But let’s look at this from a slightly different angle: John should’ve known better. Why? Because he had spent his whole life proclaiming the message of the coming kingdom of God, saw the Son of God face-to-face, baptized Him, and then watched as the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit came down and a thunderous voice confirmed Christ’s divinity. Yep, he absolutely should’ve known better. His moment of weakness, despite his status as a prisoner, was uncalled for and inexcusable. But guess what? Jesus was still patient with him and kindly presented him with the answer he requested. Now, what does that say about His patience with us? God, thank You for being unreasonably patient with Your children. Please forgive me for my moments of weakness.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 Genesis 35–36 / Matthew 11:7–24 / Psalm 15

EXCLUSIVELY INCLUSIVE O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right. Psalm 15:1–2 esv

If you’ve never heard of the Yellowstone Club, don’t feel bad—it’s one of the most exclusive in the world. As one of the only private ski and golf clubs in existence, the Yellowstone Club has a formidable list of criteria for potential members. For starters, you have to own land in the Yellowstone area, as well as pay hundreds of thousands of dollars just for the initiation fee. And even then, only 864 members are allowed at any given time. Believe it or not, there’s an even more exclusive club, and it’s found in Psalm 15:1–2. Only the holiest of the holy are permitted to enter God’s presence. It’s a sin-free zone—no imperfections allowed. The problem? Literally nobody in history, except for one person, has met that criteria! Lucky for us, that person was Jesus—who became the sacrifice for our sins. . .and thus kicked open the gates to the once-impossible-to-enter presence of God. You still need to have faith to enter, of course, but the good news is that this opportunity is afforded to everyone. Anyone who wants to join, God will welcome them not with a frown or even cautious acceptance. . .but rather with joy and open arms. Thank You, Jesus, for becoming my key to the presence of God.


MONDAY, JANUARY 18

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Genesis 37–38 / Matthew 11:25–30 / Psalm 16

SMART. . .BUT NOT WISE At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” Matthew 11:25 niv

In 2015, BBC published an article explaining why otherwise extremely intelligent people often make the easiest mistakes. Overconfidence, an unwillingness to admit error, and impatience with the mistakes of others all factor into this paradoxical phenomenon. But really, all this psychological analysis can boil down to one word: pride. Pride is the most deeply ingrained fault in human nature, since it’s rooted in a primal, biological drive for self-preservation. But because of Adam and Eve’s fall, this biological defense mechanism often dominates every aspect of our lives—from our friendships and relationships to even our walk with God. This is true for the average person, and it’s doubly true for someone who often sees himself as the smartest guy in the room. That’s why Jesus said that God has given the truths of the gospel to “little children” while hiding them from the “wise and learned.” It’s not that God hates smart people. It’s just that pride is the number one factor that gets in the way of a person recognizing their own need for a Savior. Being smart is great. . .but being wise is greater. Lord, give me wisdom in my heart to apply the knowledge that’s in my head. Humble me enough that I continuously seek You.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 19 Genesis 39–40 / Matthew 12:1–29 / Psalm 17

UNWORKABLE CIRCUMSTANCES The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Genesis 39:2 nlt

Read the first half of Joseph’s story, and you might walk away feeling extremely depressed. Here was a kid who did nothing wrong other than sharing a few odd dreams, and he was “rewarded” by being hated by his brothers, tossed into a pit, sold into slavery, wrongly accused of rape by his master’s wife, and thrown into prison for years. The whole narrative reads like a downward spiral—a descent into the bottommost layer of shame and humiliation. But small hints of a brighter future are found in verses like Genesis 39:2. Even in these abysmal situations, God never abandoned Joseph. Just the opposite, in fact. Because you see, God loves working through the unworkable—in taking an utterly hopeless situation and transforming it into not just a worthwhile endeavor but the sole means of tremendous salvation. God isn’t taken aback by tragedy, struggling each time to salvage a last-ditch victory out of the scraps He has to work with. No, these broken pieces are often His tools of choice for accomplishing the task at hand. Because it is in the darkest night that the light of hope can shine the brightest, displaying God’s wisdom and love for all the world to see. Thank You, God, for working with the unworkable. May this truth give me hope and endurance today.


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